Congratulations to Heidi Vukov of Hook & Barrel in Myrtle Beach is a semifinalist for Best Chef Southeast by the James Beard Foundation.
The James Beard Awards presented by Capital One represent the pinnacle of culinary recognition in the United States. Since their inception in 1990, the Restaurant and Chef Awards have made icons out of the nation's top restaurant and bar professionals.
"This recognition is incredibly meaningful to me," Vukov said. "Hook & Barrel was built on the belief that great food and genuine hospitality go hand in hand. To be acknowledged by the James Beard Foundation is an honor I share with my entire team, whose hard work, dedication and passion make what we do possible every day."
This James Beard Award recognizes chefs from Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia, and this is the first time a Myrtle Beach-area chef has been in the running.
Restaurant and Chef award nominees will be announced on Tuesday, March 31, and winners will be celebrated at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Ceremony on Monday, June 15, 2026, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
“Heidi Vukov’s recognition as a James Beard Award semifinalist marks another defining milestone for Myrtle Beach’s evolving culinary scene. This elite honor places our destination on the national culinary stage and underscores the work local chefs, along with our International Culinary Institute, are doing to elevate dining across the Grand Strand. From O.A.K. Prime’s recent inclusion in the inaugural MICHELIN Guide American South and local restaurants earning international accolades to national cooking show appearances and a growing roster of chef-driven openings, our momentum is real and measurable. Visit Myrtle Beach is proud to amplify these achievements and highlight Myrtle Beach as a destination for food lovers, offering exceptional dining experiences across more than 2,000 restaurants,” said Stuart Butler, President, Visit Myrtle Beach.
